Distinct variety of Streptocarpus named Marna

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Streptocarpus plant is characterized by its violet flower having a yellow throat. It has large flowers, long permanence and is generally nonfertile.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Streptocarpus x hybridus known by the varietal name Marna, formerly named Neptune Blue. The seed parent was Wiesmoor Blue and the pollen parent was Constant Nymph.

The new cultivar includes the large flowers characteristic of Wiesmoor Blue and the constant flowering which is characteristic of Constant Nymph.

The plants are more uniform in shape and more symmetrical than their parentage. The leaves are shorter and more semi-broad as compared to the parentage. The new cultivar is a more prolific bloomer having longer lasting flowers. In addition, the new cultivar is substantially less fertile than its parents with virtually no seed pods present.

The new cultivar was discovered through a breeding program in 1974 in Vaihingen, Federal Republic of Germany; was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Vaihingen, Federal Republic of Germany; and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Floral Company in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., has a response time of eight weeks from a plantlet (a well rooted young plant in a five centimeter pot) to a flowering plant in a ten centimeter pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out by the Oglevee Floral Company in Connellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on eight week plants blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and color readings were taken indoors under 100 foot candles of cool white fluorescent light. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. color chart of the Royal Horticultural Society of London. Some color reference is to Exotica III and such reference is duly noted.

Botanical classification: Gesneriaceae (family); Streptocarpus x hybridus (genus x species).

Flower:

Fully expanded.--Six centimeters.

Borne.--In clusters of one to six flowers per flower stalk above the foliage. Flower stalks arise from mid-rib of each leaf.

Stems.--Single, long and pubescent.

Form.--Funnel formed in an umbel.

Permanence.--Long lasting 21 to 25 days.

Color:

Front of petals.--Fan 2, Violet Blue Group 89-B.

Throat.--Fan 1, Yellow Green Group 154-B with a plurality of stripes, Fan 2 Violet Blue Group 89-B extending into the center of the petals.

Base of petals.--Fan 2, Violet Group 85-D.

Reverse of petals.--Fan 2, Violet Group 83-D.

Tonality from a distance.--Plum to violet (Exotica III).

Discoloration.--Insignificant.

Petals:

Texture.--Velvet.

Appearance.--Individually lobed and smooth margin.

Arrangement.--Regularly united into an elliptical form.

Persistance.--Lives for 21 to 25 days and remains on plant in dry form until picked.

Fragrance.--None.

Reproductive organs:

Anthers.--Two per flower and interconnected.

Filament.--Two and one-half centimeters initiating from the base of petal and extending to the anther.

Pollen.--Generally nonfertile.

Style.--Extends from tip of ovary one centimeter and terminates in a flattened stigma.

Ovaries.--Long and narrow, one and one-half millimeters in diameter and one and one-half centimeters long.

Plant:

Form.--Leaves rosulete from a crown at the soil line.

Growth.--A spreading, free flowing habit with leaf bases being acute.

Height from soil line.--15 to 20 centimeters.

Spread.--35 to 40 centimeters.

Foliage:

Top side.--Fan 3 Green Group 137-B.

Size.--Approximately 20 centimeters in length and 5 to 10 centimeters in width at widest point.

Quantity.--10 to 15 leaves.

Shape.--Oblanceolete.

Ribs and veins.--Pinnate.

Rib and vein color.--Fan 3 Green Group 138-B.

Margin.--Crenate serrations.

Underside.--Fan 4 Greyed Green Group 193-A.

Stipules.--None. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Streptocarpus substantially as herein shown and described. 